Ranch Rodeo kicks off tonight

Posted: Thursday, November 08, 2001

Bruce BeckGlobe-News Correspondent

Planning this week's sixth annual World Championship Ranch Rodeo at the Amarillo Civic Center began immediately after the final performance of last year's rodeo, said Duane McPherson of Fort Worth, president of the Working Ranch Cowboys Association.

"We do an after-rodeo planning meeting to discuss how to make the next one better,' McPherson said. "It's worked real well."

The WRCA president said the planning "really kicks in in May. That's when we get our stock contractors and arrange for our volunteers."

"We have a significant number of volunteers - probably between 50 and 60 - who come in and help in everything from the arena to the art show,' McPherson said.

World Championship Ranch Rodeo

The 6th Annual World Championship Ranch Rodeo begins nightly at 7 p.m. tonight through Saturday, and concludes with a 2 p.m. performance on Sunday.

"Though they're mostly local volunteers, we have volunteers come in from all over the country," he said. "They are a real committed group that we appreciate. They've helped us out tremendously."

McPherson said many organizations that depend on volunteers have a high turnover rate.

"We don't," he said. "They turn up year after year. We have some who've been with us since the first rodeo six years ago."

The Working Ranch Cowboys Association started in March 1995 in Amarillo, McPherson said, when "16 or 18 of us met here with one dream: helping cowboys and their families in times of need.

"Ranch families are reluctant to ask for help," he said. "We're here to help. Usually a friend will request help for them. This is the basis of why we're here; it's just not for a rodeo."

"While there's never enough to do what you want to do, we've begun to make a real difference," McPherson said.

Membership in the WRCA, now close to 600, isn't limited to cowboys, he said.

"But they've got to believe in maintaining this heritage. It's a wonderful organization," McPherson said. "Our retention rate is absolutely incredible, and I think it's because of the organization's mission. Cowboys need to be applauded. They know they're not going to make a fortune, but they love the life. Some of these cowboys are among the most honorable, kind, decent people you'd ever meet. They're the kind of role models we need in America."

The Ranch Rodeo, beginning today, will have "lots of events for everyone," McPherson said.

"The Western Trade Show has some wonderful craftsmen; really quality craftsmanship," he said. "And the Western Art Show will feature 12 of the top Western artists in the country."

The rodeo begins at 7 p.m. each night and 2 p.m. on Sunday. The event features ranch hands from 15 ranches across the country competing in events such as bronc riding, team doctoring, team penning, wild cow milking, team branding and a wild horse race.

"The wild cow milking is a crowd pleaser," McPherson said. "After roping a cow, two members of the team hold the cow while the third tries to milk it. It's a timed event."

Another timed event that will thrill the crowd is the wild horse race, he said.

"Cowboys have to saddle a bronc, then ride it across a line about 100 feet away," McPherson said. "A lot of time is spent trying to saddle that horse."

Tickets for the WRCA World Championship Ranch Rodeo range from $11 to $18 for the performances tonight and Friday. Prices for Saturday night and the Sunday matinee range from $13 to $20. Call the Amarillo Civic Center at 378-3096 for tickets.